"I knew I had what it takes, but I thought it would be easier to accept other people's idea of who I am rather than accept me for who I know I am."

She then reached out to others who may be suffering from crippling self-doubt, and assured them that listening to themselves and being proud of their achievements will send them in the right direction.

Instagram

The star has now overcome her problems and is urging others to do the same

"I have learnt that the only way to be successful is to be 100% myself, not everyone will like me but that's OK, but lots of people do," she explained.

"You cannot please everyone all the time. Trying to be something you're not in any aspect of life will just result in you being miserable!"

Lucy found love with Ryan Thomas while filming Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls

Now one of Towie's biggest success stories, Lucy is currently blissfully happy with her fitness empire and loved-up with soap star Ryan Thomas.

The pair, who were rumoured to have split, silenced the doubters with a series of heartfelt posts online to each other celebrating their separate ventures.

The star worried that her business would fail in a male oriented world

Lucy Mecklenburgh jokes her child with Ryan Thomas would be called Bear if she conceived on Celebrity Island

Ryan couldn't hide his pride as he posted a picture of the programme on Instagram as he wrote: "This is a confidence course I truly believe in and something I feel I had to share.

"Well done @lucymeck1 @resultswithcecilia @resultswithlucy very proud of what you guys are trying to achieve."

He continued: "If this is something that you are effected by or even just something you are curious about, please click on the website to find out more, this could really make a difference to your life."